Air-Frying Okra: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Frying okra in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying it in oil. It is also a quick and easy way to prepare okra, with a cooking time of around 10 to 20 minutes. The air fryer eliminates the sliminess that okra is known for, resulting in a crispy texture. The okra can be seasoned with a variety of spices and dips to suit individual tastes. The breading process can be time-consuming, but it is worth it for the delicious, crispy results.

How to cut okra for air frying

Okra can be cut in a few different ways for air frying, depending on the desired shape and level of crispiness. Here is a guide on how to cut okra for air frying:

Cutting Okra into Slices or Rounds:

• Wash the okra and dry it thoroughly.
• Trim off the woody ends of the okra pods.
• Cut the okra into slices or rounds of uniform thickness. The recommended thickness varies from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.

Cutting Okra Lengthwise into "Fries":

• Wash and dry the okra.
• Trim off the ends.
• Slice the okra in half lengthwise, exposing the slimy middle part to the air fryer for a crispier texture.

Additional Tips:

• For a simple preparation, toss the sliced okra with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• For a breaded coating, dip the okra slices in an egg wash and then coat them with a mixture of flour, cornmeal, and desired seasonings before air frying.

How to bread okra for air frying

Ingredients

• Okra
• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Egg
• Cooking spray
• Oil (optional)

Steps to Bread Okra

• Wash the okra and cut off the tops and bottoms. Slice the okra into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick pieces.
• Prepare a breading station by whisking an egg with a small amount of water in a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl or gallon-sized plastic bag, combine cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, and salt. Stir or shake the dry ingredients until they are well mixed.
• Take each okra piece and toss it in the flour mixture. Then, dip it in the egg mixture, ensuring that the okra is well coated. Finally, drop the okra into the cornmeal mixture and shake or toss until it is nicely coated. Repeat this process for all okra pieces.
• Place the breaded okra on a plate and repeat the process until all okra slices are coated.
• (Optional) For an extra crispy texture, toss the breaded okra in a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil.

How long to air fry okra

Air-frying okra is a great way to get crispy, crunchy, golden brown pods without the slime! Here is a step-by-step guide on how long to air fry okra:

Preparation:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need okra, flour, cornmeal or breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oil. You can also add in your own choice of spices and seasonings to customise the flavour.

Next, preheat your air fryer. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 356°F to 425°F.

While the air fryer is heating up, prepare the okra. Cut off the tops and bottoms of the okra and slice them into pieces. The thickness of the slices will depend on your personal preference, but they should be around 1/4-1/2 inch thick.

Now, it's time to bread the okra. You can do this by dipping the okra in a flour and cornmeal mixture, or you can try a gluten-free option by using breadcrumbs instead. You can also whisk an egg with a small amount of water and dip the okra in this mixture before coating them in the breading. This step will ensure a golden brown and crunchy exterior.

Cooking Time:

Once your okra pods are prepared and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to start cooking!

Place the breaded okra in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Spray the okra with cooking spray or oil, which will help them crisp up.

Cook the okra for 4-6 minutes, depending on the size of your air fryer and the thickness of your slices. After this initial cook, shake the basket and spray the okra with cooking spray or oil again.

Place the okra back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them during this time to ensure they reach your desired level of doneness.

For an extra crispy finish, toss the okra in a tiny bit of oil and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.

And that's it! You now have delicious, crispy air-fried okra. Serve them as a side dish or a snack, and enjoy!

What temperature to air fry okra at

Air-frying okra is a great way to enjoy this vegetable, which can be crispy and crunchy rather than slimy.

There are a few different methods for air-frying okra, but the temperature you should set your air fryer to is generally around 400°F.

Air Frying Okra with Breading

One method for air-frying okra involves coating the okra in a breading. To do this, you will need to cut the okra into 1/2-inch slices. You can then dip the okra in a shallow dish of beaten eggs and then into a bag containing a mixture of cornmeal and flour. You can also add salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to the cornmeal and flour mixture. Shake the bag to coat the okra, then place the okra in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray.

The air fryer should be preheated to 400°F (200°C). The okra will then need to be cooked for around 12 minutes, shaking the basket and respraying the okra with cooking spray every 4 minutes.

Air Frying Okra without Breading

If you prefer to air fry your okra without breading, you can simply toss the okra in a mixture of avocado oil, salt, and spices such as garlic powder, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. You can also add arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or cornstarch to help the okra crisp up. Arrange the okra in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, rotating the trays or shaking the basket halfway through.

Air Frying Okra with Breading and Oil

Another option is to bread the okra, air fry it, and then toss it in a small amount of oil before air frying for a few more minutes. To do this, cut the okra into 1/4-inch slices and toss in a mixture of flour, an egg, and water. Then dip the okra in breadcrumbs and air fry at 356°F for 6 minutes. Finally, toss the okra in oil and air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes.

What to serve with air-fried okra

Air-fried okra is a delicious and healthy treat, and there are plenty of options for what to serve with it. Here are some ideas:

Dips

A dip is a great way to add extra flavour to your okra. Some popular options include Sriracha mayo, ketchup, ranch dressing, spicy mayo, or cottage cheese dip. These can be great for adding a bit of extra spice or creaminess to your meal.

Salads

Air-fried okra can make a tasty salad topping. Try it on a grilled salad, or any salad with a vinaigrette base. The okra's crispy texture will add a nice contrast to the softer salad ingredients.

Sandwiches

Air-fried okra goes well with a grilled sandwich. The okra's crunchy texture will be a perfect complement to the toasted bread.

Fish

You can serve air-fried okra with baked fish. This could be a great way to add some extra flavour and texture to your meal.

Meat

Meat is another great option to serve with air-fried okra. In particular, a thick-cut pork chop could be a delicious choice, or you could try grilling some bacon to accompany your okra, or even frying it in bacon grease.

Vegetables

Okra can be served with other vegetables, such as peas, beans, boiled okra, onions, or potatoes. You could also try making a vegetable soup, though it's recommended to avoid putting air-fried okra in soup, as it may become slimy.

Other Sides

Some other side dishes that go well with air-fried okra include cornbread, gumbo, and vegetable soup.

Spices

If you want to add some extra flavour to your okra, you can try adding some spices to your breading mixture. Cayenne, cumin, turmeric, black pepper, or garlic powder could be great options to give your okra some extra kick.

With so many options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect combination of sides to suit your taste!

Frequently asked questions